Legend has it that Russians chose Christianity over Islam back in 988 AD in part because they didn't want to give up alcohol.Prince Vladimir the Great ruled over Kievan Rus' (aka medieval Russia) from 980 to 1015. Kievan Rus' was originally Pagan, but Vladimir converted to Christianity and then converted all of Kievan Rus' in 988. "Islam, it is said, was rejected because of its teachings prohibiting the use of alcohol. Prince Vladimir is reported to have said that 'the joy of Rus is in drinking.'"
